Sven Botman availability for Arsenal game explained - along with Bruno replacement
SVEN BOTMAN wants to start the first leg of Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, but Eddie Howe will be continually assessing the Dutchman’s physical wellbeing before settling on his starting line-up for tomorrow’s game at the Emirates.
Botman made his first start in almost ten months as Newcastle beat Tottenham at the weekend, marking the end of his recovery from cruciate-ligament surgery with an accomplished display in the Magpies’ 2-1 victory.
The Dutch centre-half played more than 90 minutes before he was eventually substituted for Lloyd Kelly, and Howe must now decide whether he is able to start another huge game just three days later.
With Fabian Schar once again substituted, Howe will select either Botman or Kelly to start alongside Dan Burn at the heart of the back four, as Newcastle look to successfully negotiate the away leg of their semi-final.
Howe is in no doubt that Botman will want to play against Arsenal, but the Magpies boss will be led by his medical staff as he ponders his starting selection.
“We have to speak to the player, and we have to speak to the medical team and the experts that will give me some of the answers to what we do with him next,” said Howe. “Sven’s a competitor. He is very driven for the team, and for himself. He wants to do really well in his career, so I’ve got no doubt what he will say, but we need to speak to other people and then try to come up with the right decision.”
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Anthony Gordon suffered a nasty cut to the face in the second half of Newcastle’s weekend victory, but the winger should be fine to face Arsenal.
“Anthony was in a bit of discomfort, but only with the cut, which was a nasty-looking one,” said Howe. “Looking back at the decision, I thought it was a foul and a clear penalty.
“He came away from that incident with blood on himself, so we dusted himself down and he went on the pitch and performed really well for us, I thought he had a really good game. So, we’ll see how he is today.”
Newcastle will have another significant absentee tomorrow though, with Bruno Guimaraes also suspended after picking up his second Carabao Cup booking in the quarter-final win over Brentford.
The Brazilian’s absence means Howe will have to break up the midfield trio that has performed so well throughout Newcastle’s run of six successive victories.
Guimaraes has revelled in the more advanced role he was handed when Howe moved Sandro Tonali into the ‘number six’ position, but he will be sidelined tomorrow, with either Sean Longstaff or Joe Willock expected to take his place.
Longstaff would be a more defensively-minded opposition, which might get him the nod away from home, while Willock would offer more creativity against his former club. Whoever gets the nod though, Howe accepts his side will miss Guimaraes’ energy, commitment and leadership.
“It’s a big blow,” he said. “One of Bruno’s biggest strengths is that he is always there for you, his appearance record has been brilliant for us, especially when you consider the physical exertion he commits to every game.
“His training is good, he’s been exceptional in every way, so to lose him, when he’s such a pivotal figure for us, is a big miss. But we have big players that can fill his shoes as well. Whoever I choose in that position, I think we’ll have a quality player coming in.”
